Ditching-machine.



PATENTED NOV. 12, 1907.

G. WARNE.

DITGHING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 41, 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I/Vi 11 @0025/ @Q/Y W Y M PATBNTED NOV. 12, 1907.

e. WARNE.

DITGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAE. a, 1907.

2 SIGHTS-SHEET 2.

GEORGE warms, or OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

DITCHING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 12, 1907.

Application filed March 8,1907. Serial No. 861,224.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE Wanna, a citizen of the United States, andresident of Omaha, Douglas county, State of Nebraska, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Ditching-Machines; and mypreferred manner of carrying out the invention is set forth in thefollowing full, clear, and exact description, terminating with a claimparticularly specifying the novelty. 4

This invention relates to excavators of the type including a plow andelevator with a side delivery, and the object of the same is to producean improved machine for ditching purposes or which may be used fordigging potatoes.

To this end the invention consists in the details described and claimedherein, and shown in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure I is aperspective view of the machine complete. Fig. II is a diagrammaticdetail showing the adjustment of the plow. Fig. III is a plan view. Fig.IV is an enlarged detail showing the ratchet which permits the flywheelto run after the machine has ceased its progress. Fig. V is aperspective detail of a portion of the elevator frame and elevator whichare employed when the machine is used as a potato digger.

The main framework 1 is mounted on wheels 2 and will be drawn by a teamor other means not necessary to show. Rising from the main frameworknear its rear end are rigid uprights 3 connected by a cross rod 4 onwhich between the uprights is journaled a roller 5, andthe upper end ofthe frame 6 of the elevator passes loosely through the framework 1 andrests on this roller. \Vithin this frame is mounted an endless carrier 7which may be an apron having cross slats when the machine is used forditching purposes, or may consist of two belts connected by cross slats70 when the machine is used as a potato digger. In this case (see Fig.V) the elevator frame will be open at the bottom so that as the potatoesare carried upward the dirt will be sifted through and will drop intothe furrow just made by the plow. Otherwise all the dirt will be carriedupward and delivered to one side as explained below. Mounted in supports8 at the rear end of the main framework is a lateral carrier 9 designedto stand always beneath the upper end of the elevator, and whichdelivers to the side of the machine either the dirt when a ditch isbeing dug or the potatoes when the machine is used as a potato digger.

On the hub of one of the main wheels 2 is a driving wheel 10 connectedby a sprocket chain 11 with a sprocket wheel 12 which in turn isconnected by a ratchet 13 (see Fig. IV) with a counter-shaft 14 which isjournaled across the framework 1 and carries a fly wheel 15 on its otherend. Intermeshing gears 16 connect this shaft with one shaft of thecarrier 9 to drive the latter. A sprocket 17 on the counter-shaft 14 isconnected by a chain 18 with another sprocket 19 which is journaled onthe cross rod 4 outside the adjacent upright 3 and has a double face.The teeth on the other face take into a sprocket chain 20 which connectsa wheel 21. on the upper shaft of the elevator with an idle wheel 22journaled on the elevator frame 6 some distance below its upper end.

As best seen in Fig. 2, the plow 30 and its moldboard 31 are inclosedbetween or form parts of a casting having two plow beams 32 connected attheir upper front ends by a cross rod 33, and at one or both sides ofthis casting are sector plates 34 which stand outside the elevator frame6. The latter is pivoted to the casting at the points 35, and bolts orother fastening means 36 take through holes 37 in the sector plates andinto the sides of the frame 6 whereby the angle of the plow to theelevatorcan be ad justcd. Links 38 pivotally connect the plow beams 32at 39 with points 39 on theanain framework 1 about as indicated, and inthe rise and fall of the plow the latter will swing around these pointsas shown in Fig. II.

A chain 40 connects the cross rod 33 with a Windlass 41 journaled on thefront end of the main framework, and by preference this Windlass isconnected by intermcshing gears 42 with a horizontal pulley 43 which isbelted as at 44 to another pulley 45 standing adjacent the drivers seat46 and adapted to be turned by a crank handle 47.

The operation of this machine is as follows: In driving from place toplace, the entire plow is raised so that it shall clear the ground. When the machine is to be used, the pulley 45 is turned in the properdirection by its crank handle to permit the plow to descend as low asnecessary, and its angle to the elevator is adjusted by the bolts 36 andthe holes 37 in the sector plates. Thereafter in the progress of themachine the material dug up by the plow will pass over the share ontothe elevator, up the latter and off its rear end, and be delivered toone side by the lateral carrier 9. The rotation of the main wheels willdrive the countershaft 14 through the'sprocket 12 and ratchet 13, and ifthe machine should be stopped the fly wheel will continue to revolve forsome little time. This countershaft is geared as at 16 to the lateralcarrier and therefore drives it. This countershaft is also connectedthrough the double-faced sprocket wheel 19 with the elevator, andtherefore drives that. Hence the rotation of the countershaft by the flywheel after the progress of the machine ceases will carry up whatmaterial is in the elevator and deliver it out the carrier. In the riseand fall of the elevator or in the adjustment of its angle to the plow,its frame may be moved upward or downward over the roller 5, and duringsuch movement the point of engagement on the sprocket chain 20 with thesprocket wheel 19 will be automatically changed although the movement ofthe elevator Wi [1 not be checked.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In a machine of the character described, the combination with themain framework, and an elevator therein; of the digging mechanismcomprising a plow and mold board, a pivotal connection between theelevator frame and the plow, perforated sector plates on the latterpassing astridesaid frame, bolts removably taking through theperforations into the frame, and means for raising and lowering theplow.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination with themain framework, and an elevator therein; of the digging mechanismcomprising a plow and moldboard, a pivotal connection between theelevator frame and the plow, perforated sector plates on the latterpassing astride said frame, bolts removably taking through theperforations into the frame, links pivotally connecting the mainframework and the plow beam, and means for raising and lowering theplow.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination with themain framework, an elevator whose frame is movably supported at its rearend by the framework so that it may slide longitudinally therein, andmeans for driving the elevator; of the digging mechanism pivoted to thelower end of the elevator frame, means for setting the digging mechanismat various angles to the frame, and means for raising and lowering thedigging mechanism.

4. In a machine of the character described. the combination with themain framework, an elevator whose frame is movably supported at its rearend therein, and means for driving the elevator; of the diggingmechanism pivoted to the lower end of the elevator frame, means forsetting the digging mechanism at various angles to the frame, linkspivotally connecting the main framework with the digging mechanism atother points than where the elevator is pivoted thereto, and means forraising and lowering the digging mechanism.

In a machine of the character described, the combination with the mainframework, the digging mechanism, links pivotally connecting saidframework and 'mechan ism, and an elevator whose frame is attachedtosaid mechanism; of a Windlass on the framework, means for turning itfrom the drivers seat, and chains connecting the Windlass and thedigging mechanism.

6. In a machine of the character described, the combination with themain framework, uprights therein, a rod connecting them, a rollerthereon, an elevator whose frame rests on the roller, and diggingmechanism at the front end of the elevator; of a double-faced' sprocketwheel journaled on said rod, connections between one face there of andone of the main wheels, an idle pulley journaled on the elevator frame,and a sprocket chain connecting it with another pulley on the uppershaft of the elevator and leading intermediately over the other face ofsaid doublefaced sprocket.

7. In a machine of the character described, the combination with themain framework, uprights therein, a rod connecting them, a rollerthereon, an elevator whose frame rests on the roller, digging mechanismat the front end of the elevator, and means for adjusting the angle ofthe elevator frame to the main framework and its position longitudinallytherein; of a double-faced sprocket wheel journaled on said rad,connections between one face thereof and one of the main wheels, an idlepulley journaled on the elevator frame, and a sprocket chain connectingit with another pulley on the upper shaft of the elevator and leadingintermediateh over the other face of said double-faced sprocket.

8. In a machine of the character described, the combination with themain framework, a roller supported thereby, an elevator resting at itsrear end on said roller, an idle pulley in the elevator frame, asprocket chain connecting it with another pulley on the upper shaft ofthe elevator, digging mechanism at the front end of the elevator, and alateral carrier on the main framework beneath the rear end of theelevator of a counter-shaft journaled in the main framework, gearsconnecting it with one shaft of the lateral carrier, a sprocket engagingsaid chain on the elevator, connections between this sprocket and thecoun tershaft, and connections between the latter and one main wheel.

9. In a machine of the character described, the combination with themain framework, a roller supported thereby, an elevator resting at itsrear end on said roller, an idle pulley in the elevator frame, asprocket chain connecting it with another pulley on the upper shaft ofthe elevator,

digging mechanism at the front end of the elevator, and a lateralcarrier on the main framework beneath the rear end of the elevator; of acountershaft journaled in the main framework and having a fly wheel,gears connecting this shaft with the lateral carrier, a sprocket wheelengaging said chain on the elevator, connections between this sprocketand the countershaft, a ratchet on the countershaft, and connectionsbetween the ratchet and one main wheel.

10. In a machine of the character described, the combination with themain framework, an elevator therein, digging mechanism carried thereby,and a lateral carrier on said framework of a countershaft journaled inthe frame work and having a fly wheel, connections between this shaftand the carriers in the elevator and in said lateral carrier, a ratchetwheel on the countershaft, and connec tions between the ratchet wheeland one main wheel.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my signature this the2nd day of March, A. D. 1907.

GEORGE WARNE.

Witnesses PETER FITZGERALD, O. A. HELQUEST.

